Gambierdiscus toxicus

Gambierdiscus toxicus

Gambierdiscus toxicus (scanning electron microscopy)

MICROBIOLOGY

DefinitionA species of dinoflagellates that produces maitotoxin*, the macromolecule responsible for ciguatera poisoning, which activates Ca2+-permeable, non-selective ion channels, leading to increased Ca2+ ions in the cytosol and apoptosis (programmed cell death).

Comment *It is named after the ciguateric fish Ctenochaetus striatus—called maito in Tahiti.